Panic release unit for windows and doors



p 13, 1967 H. c. FITZPATRICK 3,314,703

PANIC RELEASE UNIT FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS Filed March 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l E INVENTOR- I I A a' P 1967 H. c. FITZPATRICK I 3,

PANIC RELEASE UNIT FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS Filed March 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

475M127 I S United States Patent Ofifice 3,314,703 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 3,314,703 UNIT FUR WINDOWS AND OORS PANIC RELEASE This invention relates to panic release units for win dows and doors, and more particularly to quick release latches usuable on project-out or swing-out windows, as well as on doors.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved and reliable panic or fire exit release latch which can be actuated by merely pressing a handle located on the interior of the frame of a window or door.

It is another object to provide a novel and improved panic release latch of this type which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction requiring few parts.

It is a further object to provide an improved panic release latch of the above type which eliminates the need for two dliferent types of hardware, one for right hand and one for left hand swinging windows or doors, permitting the same components to be used for either hand.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing a typical casement window construction with which the panic release latch mechanism of this invention can be used, the view being from the room interior;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the interior of a portion of the sash frame taken in the area marked "2 of FIGURE 1, showing the location of the push handle;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view in cross section 33 of FIGURE 11 and showing the view taken alOng the line 44 of FIGURE 3, parts being broken away, and showing further details of the unit;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2 and showing the connection between the push handle and the lift rod;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 and showing the connection between the hook and keeper;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the invention as applied to a modified form of window vent frame; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 1 and showing the construction in the vicinity of a window hinge.

Briefly, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a push handle with a hand portion exposed to the indoor side of a fixed window frame, the handle being pivoted to a bracket secured to this frame and having a portion extending into the interior of the frame. This last-mentioned portion is engageable keepers extending from the adjacent portions of the movable or vent frame. The hooks are spring-urged toward a latching position and have pin-and-slot connections with the ends of the lift rod.

When closing the window, sloping surfaces on the keepers will engage the hooks and raise them against the urging of their springs, the hooks snapping into latching position behind the keepers. Raising of the lift rod by push handle movement will cause these hooks to simul taneously swing to their unlatching positions, permitting the window to be opened. Release of the push handle will permit the hook springs to return the hooks to their latching position in readiness for re-engagement with the keepers. The components are so fabricated as to be mountable in the fixed and vent frames of either a right or the left hand swinging window or door, that is, on either side of said frames. Means are provided for laterally adjusting the position of the keeper so as to achieve a tight closing action for the vent.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a casement Window generally indicated at 11 which comprises a fixed frame generally indicated at 12 and two swinging window portions, referred to as vents, generally indicated at 13 and 13'. Frame 12 is of rectangular shape and is mounted within an opening 14 in a building wall 15. The construction of frame 12 is perhaps best seen in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 8, the frame comprising a pair of side bars 16 and 117, an upper bar 18 and a lower bar 19, and a central bar 20 between vents 13 and 13. These bars are all fabricated. from extruded stock, with joined corners 21. The cross-sectional shape The bars also each have a relatively wide flange 2'5 and a relatively narrow flange 26 extending toward the frame opening, flange 25 being on the side of the frame facing the interior of the room. Flanges 25 and 26 carry outwardly facing seals 27 and 28, respectively. These seals are adapted to be engaged by surfaces on the frames of vents 13, 13, each of these frames being generally indicated at 29.

Each frame 29 is also of rectangular shape, comprising four bars of extruded stock having a cross-sectional shape as seen in FIGURE 5. This shape includes a central web 31, an inwardly extending flange 32 at the edge of web 31 closer to the room, and

formed by the bars of fixed frame 12 and vent frame 29;

each of these spaces is generally indicated at 39 in FIG- URE 5. The main components of the latching device of this invention are disposed within space 39, as formed by bar of frame 12 and the corresponding bar of either frame 29. This bar is indicated at 41 in FIGURE 2. A pair of keepers, each of which is generally indicated at 42, are secured to the side of web 31 of bar 41. Each keeper comprises a vertically extending bar 43 of flat rectangular shape with horizontally extending elongated apertured portions 44 adjacent the ends thereof. The upper keeper 42 is located about one-quarter the distance down from the upper end of bar 41 whereas the lower keeper is disposed about the same distance above the lower end of bar 41. A keeper projection 45 extends outwardly from the central portion of each keeper 42. Keeper portion 45 is of triangular cross-sectional shape, as seen in FIGURE 3, with a sloping surface 46 facing the interior of the room and a vertical surface 47 facing the exterior. Keepers 42 may be fabricated by casting or other suitable methods.

Each keeper 42 is secured to bar 41 by a pair of headed bolts 48, as seen in FIGURE 6, and a pair of shims 49 which surround bolts 48 and are disposed between keeper 42 and web 31 of bar 41. Bolts 43 are threadably secured to web 31, and the arrangement is such that by loosening bolts 48 either keeper 42 may be laterally adjusted, that is, to the left or right as seen in FIGURE 3.

A pair of hooks, each of which is generally indicated at 51, are pivotally mounted on each side of web 22 of bar 26 adjacent the positions which keepers 42 occupy when vents 13 and 13' are closed. Hooks 51 are of identical shape and each comprises a downwardly hook-shaped portion 52 at its outer end, a pivoted portion 53, a stop portion 54 and a connecting portion 55.

The means for mounting each hook 51 comprises a bracket 56 of elongated shape, as seen in FIGURE 3, this bracket being secured to the internal surface of web 22 at its juncture with flange 25. Bolts 57 pass through the upper and lower portions of brackets 56 and are threadably mounted in web 22 to secure bracket 56 in place. Each bracket further comprises a recess 58, seen in FIGURE 3, which receives mounting portion 53 and stop portion 54 of hook 51. A pin 59 passes through bracket 56 and portion 53 of hook 51, pivotally securing the hook to the bracket. A shoulder 61 is provided in recess 53, stop portion 54 of book 51 being engageable with this shoulder during latching movement of the hook. When in this latching position, the inner surface of hook portion 52 of each book 51 has a vertical portion engageable with the vertical surface 47 of its corresponding keeper 45, thereby preventing opening movement of window 13. The outer surface of hook portion 52 of each hook 51 is rounded so that, with a pair of hooks 51 in their latching position when window 13 or 13' are open, closing movement of the window will cause surface 46 of each keeper 45 to cam the corresponding hook upwardly, so that it may drop into latching position as keeper 45 passes under it.

Each bracket 56 is further provided with a recess 62 within which is disposed a helical coil compression spring 63. This spring extends outwardly in a downwardly inclined manner, and its other end engages the corresponding hook 51, urging the hook in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 3. The counterclockwise camming of hooks 51 will thus cause compression of springs 63, the hooks having extensions 64 to hold the springs in position.

A lift rod 65 is provided in each space 39, this lift rod being vertically disposed and having upper and lower threaded ends 66 to which are secured extensions 67. These extensions carry pins 68 disposable within slots 69 on portions of hooks 51. Portions 55 extend vertically downwardly when the hooks are in their latching position as seen in FIGURE 3. The position of rod will normally be such as to hold pins 6% in the upper portions of slots 69, so that when hooks 61 are momentarily swung counterclockwise, for example, during closing movement of window 13 or 13, the lost motion between pins 68 and slots 69 will permit rod 65 to remain stationary.

A pair of push handles each of which is generally indicated at 71, are pivotally secured by pins 72 to the central portion of bar 20. Each handle has an enlarged central portion 73 (FIGURE 3), a downwardly extending handle portion 74 on the end of portion 73 facing the interior of the room, and a connecting portion 75 within space 39.

Each handle 71 is supported by a bracket 76 secured to the surface of flange 25 which faces the interior of the room. Bracket 76 is of an elongated shape, being secured to flange 25 by bolts 77, and has a slot 78 within which portion 73 of handle 71 is disposed, pin 72 securing portion 73 to the bracket. Handle portion 74 of the handle has a hand-engageable surface 79 on which the legend PUSH may be inscribed. A plunger 81 is mounted for vertical sliding movement within a portion of bracket 76 above slot 78, this plunger being urged downwardly by a helical coil compression spring 82. Plunger 81 is disposed to the right of pivot 72, as seen in FIGURE 3, so that it will urge handle 71 in a clockwise direction.

Flange 25 is provided with a slot 83 through which portion 75 handle 71 extends. Lift rod 65 has an inward projection 34 with a shoulder 85, and portion 75 of handle 71 is engageable with this projection. Portion 75 is hook-shaped in an upward direction, so that the counterclockwise movement of handle 71, as seen in FIG- URE 3, will result in upward movement of lift rod 65, and therefore, counterclockwise movement of hooks 51.

In operation, when vents 13 and 13 are closed, the parts will occupy the positions shown in the figures. When in this position, hooks 52 will engage keepers 45 and prevent the vents from being opened.

Should it be desired to open vent 13, it is merely necessary to depress portion 79 of right hand handle 71 in FIGURE 1. This will raise rod 65, and pins 68 will engage the upper ends of slots 69, swinging hooks 51 counterclockwise and releasing keepers 47. Vent 13 may then be opened merely by pushing on it, after which handle 71 may be released. It should be noted that both the upper and lower hooks 51 will operate simultaneously in consequence of the single movement of handle 71.

When handle 71 is released, springs 63 will urge hooks 51 clockwise until stops 54 engage shoulders 61. This will permit lift rod 65 to drop, handle 71 having been returned to its normal position in which its lower edge engages the lower edge 36 of slot 78. The lower position of rod 65 will be that at which projection 84 engages portion 75 of handle 71, at which time pins 68 will be in the upper ends of slots 69.

When it is desired to close vent 13' it may be swung on its hinges until keepers 46 engage hooks 51, camming hooks 51 counterclockwise until keepers 45 pass under hook portions 52, at which time springs 63 will urge the hooks clockwise, latching vent 13 in place. During this movement, rod 65 will remain stationary as will handle 71, due to the lost motion connection between the rod and hooks. A handle 87 may be provided on bar 41 for pulling the vent closed.

It should be observed that the entire action of the panic release unit is positive, thus insuring instantaneous release of the vent when handle 71 is depressed. It should also be noted that the components of the unit are so fabricated as to be usable in either the left or right hand positions, that is, for a left hand swinging vent 13 or a right hand swinging vent 13'. For example, keepers 4-2 are symmetrical about a horizontal plane and could, therefore, be mounted to extend in either direction. Similarly, brackets 56 are symmetrical about a vertical plane and could, therefore, be mounted on either side of web 22. Bracket 76 is likewise symmetrical about a vertical plane as is handle '71.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification,

1. In a latching and release mechanism for a room closure, a fixed member forming part of an opening for room, a movable closure member interfitting with said fixed member, a keeper projecting from said movable member, a hook pivoted to said fixed member, resilient means urging said hook toward a latching position, the keeper and hook having coacting surfaces whereby closing movement of said movable member will cam said hook away from its latching position, a push handle pivoted to said fixed member, said push handle being substantially L- shaped with its central portion being pivoted, one leg of said push handle comprising a hand-engageable portion facing the interior of said room, the other leg of said handle extending away from the room, a lift rod, a lateral projection on said lift rod, the lift rod extending between said second leg on the handle and said hook, whereby pressure exerted on the first leg of said handle will cause said second leg to engage said projection and thereby move said lift rod toward said hook, and a pin-and-slot connection between said hook and said lift rod, the relative positions of the pin and slot of said connection being such that when said hook is in its latching position, movement of said lift rod by said push handle will cause said hook to move to an unlatching position.

2. The combination according to claim 1, further provided with resilient means carried by said fixed member and constantly urging said handle away from engagement with said lift rod projection, said pin-and-slot connection permitting said camming movement of the book without movement of said lift rod.

3. The combination according to claim 1, said keeper comprising an elongated plate having bolts at its opposite ends securable to said movable member, a lateral keeper projection extending from said plate and having a triangular cross-sectional shape, with an inclined camming surface facing the direction of closing movement of said movable member and a latching surface facing the direction of opening movement, the keeper being symmetrical about a plane passing through said projection, and elongated apertured portions for said bolts permitting lateral adjustment of said keeper with respect to said movable member.

4. In a latching and releasing mechanism for room closures of the type having interfitting fixed and movable bars which form an elongated space therebetween when the closure is in its closed position, a fixed bar forming part of an opening for said room, a movable bar carried by a closure member, said bars having facing webs and facing flanges when the closure member is in closed position which together form an elongated space between the bars, a keeper secured to the web of said movable bar and having a portion extending toward the web of said fixed bar within said space, said keeper having a camming surface inclined in the direction of closing movement and a latching surface facing away from the direction of closing movement, a hook movably mounted on the fixed bar within said space, resilient means urging said hook toward a latching position, a surface on said hook engageable by said camming keeper surface to move the hook away from said latching position during closing movement of the closure member, an L-shaped push handle pivotally secured to the flange of said fixed bar, said handle having a hand-engageable portion exposed to the interior of said room and a connecting portion extending into said elongated space, a lift rod in said space, a projection on said lift rod adjacent said handle connecting portion, the latter having a one-Way connection with surface of said fixed said projection whereby said lift rod will be moved toward said hook when said handle is rocked in an unlatching direction, and a pin-and-slot connection between said lift rod and said hook, said last-mentioned connection causing unlatching movement of said hook when said lift rod is moved by said handle, but permitting movement of the hook by said camming keeper surface without movement of the lift rod.

5. The combination according to claim 4, said pinan-d-slot connection comprising a slotted portion on said hook, an end member threadably mounted on said lift rod, and a pin secured to said end member and constantly disposed within said slotted portion.

6. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with mounting means for said hook comprising a bracket of elongated shape, fastening means securing said bracket to the web of said fixed bar, a recess in said bracket receiving one portion of said hook, and a pin carried by said bracket and pivotally supporting said hook, said bracket being symmetrical about a plane parallel to the web of said fixed member.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said hook being further provided with a shoulder within said bracket recess, and a stop shoulder in said bracket recess engageable by said hook projection to define the latching position of said book.

8. The combination according to claim 7, said resilient means for urging the hook in a latching direction comprising a helical coil compression spring, and a second recess in said bracket for retaining a portion of said spring.

9. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with means for mounting said push handle on said fixed member comprising a bracket secured to the member flange facing said room, a slot in said last-mentioned bracket, said handle extending through said slot, a pivotal connection between said handle and bracket, a slot in said flange in registry with said last-mentioned slot for the connecting portion of said handle, and a spring-pressed plunger in said bracket engageable with said handle between said pivot and said connecting portion and urging the handle: away from its unlatching direction of movement.

10. In a latching and releasing mechanism for room closures of the type having interfitting fixed and movable tion which together form an elongated space between the bars, -a pair of identical latching hooks within said space and pivotally mounted adjacent the upper and lower ends room and having downwardly extending hook portions, springs urging said hooks in a latching direction, stop means defining the latching positions of said hooks, keepers secured to said movable ing the direction of closing movement and a latching surface facing away from the direction of closing movement, said camming surfaces being engageable with said hooks to cam them away from their latching position as the movable bar moves towards its closed position, means for adjusting the secured positions of said keepers on said movable bar in a direction toward or away from said room, an L-shaped push handle, a bracket secured to the surface of said fixed bar flange facing the room, means pivotally securing the central portion of said handle to. said lastmentioned bracket, a hand-engageable portion on said handle having a surface facing the room, a connecting portion on said handle extending into said space, a lift rod in said space having threaded ends, end members threadably mounted on said lift rod ends, pins carried by said end members, slotted portions carried on said hooks and receiving said pins, a projection on the midportion of said lift rod and engageable in one direction by said handle connecting portion, a shoulder on said projection for retaining said handle connecting portion, a stop on said handle bracket and a spring-loaded plunger urging said handle against said bracket stop, the pin-and-slot connections between said lift rod end members and hooks being such that swinging movement of said handle against the action of said plunger will instantaneously and simultaneously cause unlatching movement of said hooks, but camming movement of said hooks away from their latching position by said keepers will be permitted without movement of said lift rod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 195,339 9/1877 Cameron et al. 292-31 650,059 5/1900 Almonte 292-17 1,662,255 3/1928 Stuart et al. 292-127 2,719,048 9/1955 Hayes 292-92 2,824,440 2/1958 Jewett et al. 292-92 X 3,214,947 11/1965 Wikkerink 292-92 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,163,188 2/1964 Ger-many.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. J. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LATCHING AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR A ROOM CLOSURE, A FIXED MEMBER FORMING PART OF AN OPENING FOR ROOM, A MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER INTERFITTING WITH SAID FIXED MEMBER, A KEEPER PROJECTING FROM SAID MOVABLE MEMBER, A HOOK PIVOTED TO SAID FIXED MEMBER, RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID HOOK TOWARD A LATCHING POSITION, THE KEEPER AND HOOK HAVING COACTING SURFACES WHEREBY CLOSING MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER WILL CAM SAID HOOK AWAY FROM ITS LATCHING POSITION, A PUSH HANDLE PIVOTED TO SAID FIXED MEMBER, SAID PUSH HANDLE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LSHAPED WITH ITS CENTRAL PORTION BEING PIVOTED, ONE LEG OF SAID PUSH HANDLE COMPRISING A HAND-ENGAGEABLE PORTION FACING THE INTERIOR OF SAID ROOM, THE OTHER LEG OF SAID HANDLE EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE ROOM, A LIFT ROD, A LATERAL PROJECTION ON SAID LIFT ROD, THE LIFT ROD EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SECOND LEG ON THE HANDLE AND SAID HOOK, WHEREBY PRESSURE EXERTED ON THE FIRST LEG OF SAID HANDLE WILL CAUSE SAID SECOND LEG TO ENGAGE SAID PROJECTION AND THEREBY MOVE SAID LIFT ROD TOWARD SAID HOOK, AND A PIN-AND-SLOT CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID HOOK AND SAID LIFT ROD, THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PIN AND SLOT OF SAID CONNECTION BEING SUCH THAT WHEN SAID HOOK IS IN ITS LATCHING POSITION, MOVEMENT OF SAID LIFT ROD BY SAID PUSH HANDLE WILL CAUSE SAID HOOK TO MOVE TO AN UNLATCHING POSITION. 